Nile cruises
Debate continues about whether the Nile is the world's longest river but its long and fascinating history surely makes it the most magical.
Moses was plucked from the reeds here, and in the years of Egyptian greatness, pharoahs such as Tutankhamun and Cleopatra used it to travel up and down their kingdom. A host of historical sites lie along its ancient shores, including the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak, Luxor, Edfu and the incredible Valley of the Kings.
Further south is modern Egypt's greatest achievement, the remarkable Aswan Dam, built to generate electricity, prevent flooding and store precious water.
And while the Nile is synonymous with Egypt, it actually begins its journey much further afield. The Blue Nile starts in Ethiopia, while the longer White Nile can be traced to Rwanda, and the two join near Khartoum in Sudan. It's an extraordinary journey, and a timeless joy for the traveller.
